Entered CNET Catalog: 04/29/2005
SKU: CARHYUNDAISONATA
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
Product summary
The good: Powerful 235-horsepower engine; Shiftronic transmission mode; low price.
The bad: Ugly stereo interface; labyrinthine shift pattern; lack of system integration.
The bottom line: The Hyundai Sonata EX offers a very compelling competitor to the small-sedan segment, which will have Toyota and Honda looking over their shoulders--however, don't expect too many digital comforts.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/04/2005
That said, we weren't impressed by how all the pieces fit together. The engine may provide good power through all the gears, but the Sonata doesn't have the suspension of a sports sedan. Although we like the gentle curve of the exterior roof line--a style in favor with European automakers--the interior dash has all the style of a 1980s Ford or GM.
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata EX doesn't have much to offer in the electronics department: the driver seat is power adjustable, the six-disc CD player also plays MP3s, and a compass is integrated into the rearview mirror. A 12-volt outlet at the bottom of the center console allows for add-on electronics, and buttons on the steering wheel control stereo volume and cruise control. The aforementioned stereo won't win any design awards, but it's understated, and the controls are functional. The long expanse of gray plastic down the center of the dash ends at a few panels of glossy, wood-grain plastic, which, though cheap, at least adds a touch of color. We like the two large climate-control knobs--they feel solid and are well placed.
We did like the Sonata's wide leather seats, although the lumbar support offers only minimal adjustment. The rear seats feature three-point seat belts and a comfortable amount of legroom. Three-quarter-split fold-down seats add more storage possibilities to the already capacious trunk. We recorded about 69 decibels in our interior sound test, indicating an admirably well-insulated cabin.
The high point of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata EX is the variable-valve-timed, 3.3-liter 235-horsepower V-6, which offers more than enough power to leap forward from a stop, pass at highway speeds, and climb long freeway grades. But tap the accelerator when the light turns green, and the engine squeals the tires for the fraction of a second it takes the traction control to kick in. As much fun as it is to burn rubber, we would prefer the car's systems to work together a little more closely.The V-6 engine powers the Sonata around tight corners, and the leather-wrapped wheel responds well, but the vehicle stability system gives the car an odd, floaty feeling in the curves. Fortunately, the stability system can be switched off for a stronger road feeling. Traction control keeps the drive wheels digging in and the car on a center line.
The five-speed automatic has Shiftronic mode, letting you select the gear. It's another suggestion by Hyundai that the Sonata is meant for sport driving. It lets you seriously wind up the RPMs while providing effortless control. However, we weren't happy with the shift pattern, which requires a few bumps and grinds to get from Park to Drive. The EPA rates the Sonata EX's mileage at 20mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway. We observed mileage at the bottom end of that range, getting 21.4mpg.
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata EX's cabin is well covered by front, side-impact, and side-curtain air bags. Other safety technologies include traction control and a stability system. Better yet, all this safety gear is standard. Hyundai has long tried to make up for poor brand perception with an industry-leading warranty, and the 2006 Sonata EX is no exception. The package starts with a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, then adds on 10 years/100,000 miles for the power train. It also includes a 7-year/unlimited-mile antiperforation warranty, which is useful if you happen to engage in a lot of shoot-outs, as well as 5 years of roadside assistance.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14out of 14 user reviews
Amazing Value!!
Pros: Power, features, exterior styling, safety, quiet & smooth ride.
Cons: Automatic a little slushy, body roll in corners, good but not great interior.
I have had the Hyundai for a week now, & am amazed at how nice it is to drive. It is so comfortable, plenty of power, and actually looks very good.
I can't believe what I got for the money--granted they may be just a step behind Honda and Toyota in terms of fit & finish, but NOT $5000 behind. Light years ahead of its domestic rivals. Time will tell, but so far--so good.
Now if I could just find a Hyundai owners support group...
out of 14 user reviews
VALUE or A STEREO?
Pros: All you want in a car! Who would want more.
Cons: None what so ever
out of 14 user reviews
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata Beats Them All
Pros: All the best features and they come as standard
Cons: You want me to make somthing up? Not that kind of guy!!
the price and the 100,000 mile warranty you will head for the nearest Hyundai dealership for the $1,500.00 rebate which end soon. This car beats anything in it's class hands down. Take a ride and you will drive one away. I did two days ago.
out of 14 user reviews
Hyundai's best
Pros: Powerful, very quiet and stable in high speed, well built, ELECTRONIC STABILTY CONTROL!!! superb warranty
Cons: Better audio control on the steering wheel, more sophisticated colors
It seems like Hyundai had put a great effort into this car, also, the first to be built in the USA. I don't know many comparable (and more expensive) cars that have so many STANDARD safety features the Sonata has, mostly importantly the ESC, Electronic Stability Control, which is BIG in safe driving on wet surface... Many small, subtle features make it a smart car. The ride is smooth, very stable and quiet even at 85 mph. The interior is very spacious, the trunk is LARGER than in the Accord or Camry...
And the WARRANTY is the best available today in the USA...
ANd the 2007 is out any day now....
out of 14 user reviews
second hyundai car against relatives and frieds advice
Pros: price, safety, looks, snooth ride, space, music,
Cons: sonata GL the outside mirrors do not fold, no lumbar support for the driver seat
It took an hour of car comparisons to decide to go for a SONATA. I am definely not an expert on cars; the Sonata feels right for me as many other things that can not be quantify.
Note: if and when you decide to buy a Sonata the GLS should sufice, I have the GL.
best of luck in you new purchase.
out of 14 user reviews
Value sums up this car!
Pros: Safety, good clean looks, packed with value, nice smooth ride, Room galore, great pricing
Cons: For the price, nothing to complain about (my teenagers would like sportier look tough on them)
out of 14 user reviews
Cunningham....Plz stick with your day job...
Pros: Sleek styling, horsepower, VALUE
Cons: no navigation sytem and high end audio option
out of 14 user reviews
Wow, what a great car - The Real Deal
Pros: Luxury car fit and feel. Quiet ride, I can see the best of 3 other High Line cars (backward engineering) in this one.
Cons: For the price, none I can think of so far.
out of 14 user reviews
Great car for the price!
Pros: Ride, handling, classy lines, interior drsign
Cons: Rear suspension noise
out of 14 user reviews
Review Seems Biased
Pros: Lost Cost; Offers Standard ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
Cons: Reliability Unknown; Handling Needs Improvement
out of 14 user reviews
rk2469, you're funny, was more entertaining than the review itself!!!
Pros: Cheap and full of value, deisgn looks classy and not goofy like the Accord.
Cons: Unknown quality
I'm not sure if the CNET reviewer was drinking when he reviewed this car but the one glaring disagreement I have is the interior and dash. What is he talking about? Dated design like old Fords and GMs??? It's one thing to not like a design but I thought his comparison was just plain dumb.
Anyway back to the review, I like the location of the stereo, like the old Jettas. What I like best about this car is the safety equipment like side curtain airbags and ESC are standard, big plus in my book. I don't have any loyalty to a company, Honda, that doesn't make the latest safety features standard on their all their Accord models. What, the poorer people don't need to be protected or something?? Ha, not gonna support this behavior any longer.
[Edited by: admin]
out of 14 user reviews
You dont have a clue unclesquares...
Pros: Excellent ride characteristics, smooth ride, powerful engine, roomy cabin, 6 standard air bags + ESC, leather, huge trunk great warranty, great price, excellent quality interiors
Cons: Increased base price
Regarding "copying of Accords styling". Hello? What decade are you in? Every car company "copies" each others styling. Lexus did it with the LS430 from Mercades. Toyota did it with the Tundra from Ford's F-150. Nissan did it with the Altima after Toyota's old Camry. You obviously can't differentiate styling from one car to the other.
Another point is, all prestigious automobile designers generally come from the same school, namely the Art College of Design in California. Therefore, it is inevitable that their designs are very similar because their curriculums and hence their professors are the same.
Personally, I think Hyundai did a better job of excuting the rear style than did Honda. It flows much smoother is less "ugly".
The comment about "its just a Hyundai": I am old enough to remember that same quote when the Japanese came to our shores. "Its just a Honda", "It's just a Toyota". But guess where they are now. I envision (and its happening now already), Hyundai will be one of the top 5 companies in the next couple of years.
out of 14 user reviews
Once again copying Accord styling...
Pros: Don't own it, maybe the price is good but...
Cons: It's still a Hyundai
There's something funny about a company whose name is on anything from cars to LCD TV's to construction tractors & bucket loaders- and God knows what else!
Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my 2 cents.
out of 14 user reviews
Compared to its competitors, the new Sonata truly shines.
Pros: ABS, traction control, power everything...all standard. Very roomy, quiet, with a capable engine.
Cons: Slighty uncomfortable drivers-side headrest. No premium Audio option. No extra tech flair. Fuel economy is so-so.
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